Grasse School Shooting: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

by admin on April 1, 2017

The town of Grasse, located in the south east of France. (Wikipedia)

Authorities in France have said that “multiple people” have been injured following a shooting at high school in the town of Grasse. The small city is located in the southeastern part of the country, less than 30 miles west of Nice in Alpes-Maritimes. The school involved is the Alexis de Tocqueville high school. The gunfire erupted on the afternoon of March 16.

Here’s what we know so far:

1. One of Those Wounded is the School’s Principal

Le Figaro reports that three people have been shot and it’s possible that another has been stabbed. One of those wounded is the school’s principal. None of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening.

BFMTV reports that the principal was targeted by the gunman. One student told the station that he heard “four shots” and that the scene was “total panic.”

Reports from the scene say that a 17-year-old student who is not known to police has been taken into custody. Le Figaro reports that the student was “heavily armed.”

Reports of a second gunman were later proven to be false.

BFMTV reports that the suspect was armed with three guns and two grenades.

3. The Suspect Watched Videos of ‘American High School Shootings’

This illustration picture taken in Rennes, western France on March 16, 2017 shows the screen of a smartphone displaying French government attack alert.(Getty)

Le Monde reports that the suspect is from Tocqueville and that he watched “videos of mass killings.”

L’Express reports that the suspect “consulted” websites relating to American high school shootings.

French journalist Nicholas Henin has referred to the suspect as a “fragile young man” on Twitter.

4. A Massive Police Response Is on Site in Grasse

A photo from the scene of the attack. (Facebook)

Authorities in France have issued a text alert saying that there has been a possible terror attack. Le Monde reports that no links have been established between this shooting and Islamic terrorism.

The anti-terror force in France, RAID is on scene at the school, reports the Daily Telegraph. While France Info reports that the security forces have evacuated the school. Parents have been asked to avoid the school.

5. There Is No Confirmation That the Attack Is Linked to the Several Terror Attacks That Have Rocked France Over the Last 2 Years

Grasse is known as the capital of France’s perfume industry. There are no indications that the attack is related to terrorism. Over the past two years, France has been rocked by the multiple attacks linked radical Islamist fighters. In July 2016, 86 people were killed in Nice when a truck rammed into a crowd of people on a promenade. France is still under a general state of emergency over the attacks.